Real Betis confirm Ceballos to Real Madrid

Real Betis have confirmed that Dani Ceballos will leave the club and join Real Madrid.

The 20-year-old midfielder followed a superb season with Betis by helping the Spanish U21 side to a runners-up place at the European Championships this summer and his performances have seen him embroiled in a transfer battle between Barcelona and Madrid.

Barca had made a genuine play for the youngster two weeks previous but Madrid countered the move and quickly agreed on terms, leading to proposed announcement this week.

A six-year deal is said to have been agreed, with Madrid officials happy to pay the Seville-born player’s release fee of €15m.

Betis have now confirmed the deal with club president Angel Haro speaking to the press on Monday morning.

“Ceballos has rejected the offer of renewal of Betis,” first team he said.

“From what we understand, Real Madrid have reached an agreement for the player to complete his transfer.

“We made a good offer to the player but when a team come in and pay the release clause or more, you can do nothing.

“We will know more in the coming hours but the situation is now out of our hands.”

Ceballos grew up playing for Sevilla, before moving to Utrera and then Betis in 2011. He made his first-team debut at the age of 17 and helped them achieve promotion back to La Liga in the same season.

His performances this summer saw him be crowned the European Championship Player of the Tournament